‘Scandal!’ and ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ cast. Images: Twitter @etvscandal and @etvisiphetho
‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ beats ‘Scandal!’
E.tv’s latest telenovela ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ beat the channel’s longest-running soapie, ‘Scandal!’ in April.
‘Scandal!’ and ‘Isiphetho: Destiny’ cast. Images: Twitter @etvscandal and @etvisiphetho
E.tv’s popular soapie, Scandal! took a knock in April when it was dethroned by Isiphetho: Destiny.
‘ISIPHETHO: DESTINY’ SECURES THIRD POSITION
The Broadcasting Research Council of South Africa’s (BRCSA) April figures reveal that Isiphetho: Destiny received over 3.95 million viewers, while Scandal! pulled 3.8 million viewers.
The Black Brain Pictures telenovela is the third most-watched TV show on e.tv, while Ochre’s popular soapie is in fifth place.
The figures also reveal that House of Zwide remains the most-watched TV show on e.tv with 4.8 million viewers, while Isitha: The Enemy is in second place with 4.4 million viewers.
TVSA reports that Smoke and Mirrors, which stars Hlomla Dandala and Ayanda Bandla, secured fourth place in April with 3.92 million viewers.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela reports that Isiphetho: Destiny debuted on Monday, 8 April, with over three million viewers.
Mphela adds the show kept the momentum and gained traction with 3.5 million viewers on its second day (Tuesday, 9 April).
‘SCANDAL!’ LOSES TO ‘SKEEM SAAM’
Scandal! lost its signature first position in March, a month before Isiphetho: Destiny aired on e.tv in April.
Scandal! lost viewers when Skeem Saam debuted on its new 19:30 timeslot. The SABC1 educational soapie is currently in third place with 3.9 million viewers.
Scandal!’s head writer, Grace Mahlaba, reveals to Sunday World that Skeem Saam is not a threat because the shows are totally different.
“Competition has always been there for us; it is just that SABC had different shows on the timeslot, but we had the staying power. Time will tell if we are confident of the stories that we tell and if we are not going to sleep or slumber. Our worst-case scenario is that we will have to share the audience.
“When you know yourself, you know yourself. I believe that the people who watch us know us and have identified themselves their taste. If we keep dishing the dish that they came for, I think we will be fine,” says Mahlaba.
The e.tv soapie this year will be celebrating 20 years of TV, while the SABC educational soapie is turning 13.
MORE ACTORS JOIN E.TV TELENOVELA
Isiphetho: Destiny is led by former Generations: The Legacy actor Kope Makgae and The Wife star Mbalenhle Mavimbela.
Makgae portrays the role of Chef Mosa while Mavimbela plays the restauranter character of Buhle.
Other stars include Isidingo alumni Linda Sokhulu, who portrays Blondie, and Uzalo actress Gugu Gumede as Connie.
Black Brain Pictures’ director, Mandla N, reveals to Zimoja that the show is set in the heart of Soweto amidst the vibrant community of Mzimhlope.
Actress Tsholo Maseko plays the character of Portia, while Upile uThixo Bongco portrays the role of Ntando.
The four friends decide to open a restaurant in their community. However, their past rivals threaten to thwart their dreams.
The show competes with Sibongile and The Dlaminis at 18:30, which is the most-watched TV show on DStv with 1.4 million views.
